The Love Gift of Mourning

1 Timothy 1:18-20
"18 This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight, 19 keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. 20 Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme."

Paul left these two men to God, warning others about them in order to spare the flock.

2 Timothy 2:15-19 "15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. 16 But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.”"

God clearly tells us to warn believers of those who are walking in disobedience. The warning helps others to be more diligent about making sure they are confessing to be cleansed, while continuing to grow in holiness.

Without warnings the people become complacent and even proud of themselves when they should be mourning.

Matthew 5:4
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."

Those that mourn over their sin will be cleansed and comforted. The mourning is a necessary part of the cleansing that must occur for someone to grow in holiness. Without that mourning there builds pride and hardness of heart.

Sadly in our world today the one who is comforted and encouraged is the one who is prideful and self assured. These people are praised for their "strength" which in God's eyes is weakness. It is the strong who are able to confess to be cleansed. These are the people who are absent of pride.

Pride brings weakness, humility and confession brings strength.

Ecclesiastes 7:4
"The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth."